Reference Guide Printed Version Is it Free with Subscription Service

I guess when SW kept telling us all that no one wanted a reference guide we
all laughed because we new what a joke that was. The now have a download of
the pdf version 1000 pages long and even say they are going to offer a
printed version. The question i ask is if i am on maintenance then i better
not have to pay the manual. That should be included with the software. Its
not like we are paying chump change $1200+ a year maintenance. I am not
about to spend $100 in ink jet cartridges to print it out, nor am i taking
it to kinko for $65 when it should be part of the service in our
maintenance. What are your feelings? Do you think they will try to charge
us?

 

I agree completely!
When you buy a Corvette, you get a complete owners manual, not a "What's
New" from the 2003 Corvette, even though you may have owned one.

It's my anology and I'm stickin' with it,
Muggs

 

In my current state of diminished expectations, I'm just glad it exists...

and you don't have to pay for the manual; the PDF is free. (which frankly
seems reasonable to me). If you want it on paper, then $

 

Save trees! Ruin you eyes! Seriously though... I don't like reading off
of a screen. I think they should send out a paper version to any
maintainance customer that asks for one.

Zander

 

Not so sure I agree here, folks. No matter how you look at it,
supplying a 'free' printed guide will cost SWX money.

Eventually, this cost MUST be passed on in one of 2 ways:
1.) a direct increase in purchase/maintenance price
2.) a decrease in funds to other areas of development/support

 

you could always take orders...

1) print up copies in bulk
2) sell them for less the $60 including shipping
3) profit???

 

I'm a bit on Arlin's side, if you assume all the current $ is being spent
properly. If it's being wasted (according to MY value system) then , by all
means, I want more. But if it is, in fact, being used properly, then he has
a good point.

However, I'm not so sure I really want a book. It's the same thing as the
help button, and the electronic version has hyperlinks to related areas.
True, it's harder to read it on the bus, in the easy chair with a *drink*
(coffee...) in hand, etc, but is it worth jumping to the index several times
just to find all the references? Turning pages of a book is such hard work!
And where do I put these massive books???

Now, all that being said, I'm glad I have a copy for those here that want to
read a hard copy. (This message truly borders on silly - back to work,
slave!)

WT

 

I demand they send me a 21" Flat Panel monitor for free so I can read it
while working on SolidWorks without toggling windows. ;p

 

We are seeing a decrease in SW corporate doing a good job in the first
place ie.. SP0, SP1, SP2 (hush no ones supposed to remember that one), SP
2.1 and of course the great install routine they now force us all to use. I
am just glad i do not have some of the problems you guys have or i would be
ballistic. Also SW makes a good profit margin. I can tell you that my Cam
program comes out with 3 books every major release and they change a hell
lot less features than SW, they also charge the same on maintenance as SW.

 

A distinct advantage with the PDF manual is that (when displayed on
the computer screen) it can easily be searched through the left-hand
column index or by text strings. Also, the pages contain built-in
links which allow the user to instantly view inter-related topics.

How long do you think it would take to find each and every reference
to "fillet", for example, while fumbling through the two volume set of
printed paper manuals.

The main advantage I see with the paper version is to just have it
open alongside the monitor and not compete for screen area.

Certainly all registered/maintained users should be entitled to a free
printed copy of the guide, but I'd be willing to bet that, after the
cozy feeling of having one in hand wears off, the large proportion of
physical manuals go largely unused. Those who want to use them should
be provided with the hardcopy. All others should be glad to save some
trees!

A big problem with the paper version is obsolescence. As soon as
corrections are made or new information is added, the PDF electronic
format can be instantly replaced and up to date. With paper, addendum
sheets have to be slipped in between existing pages and it's hard to
justify printing complete new volumes until many modifications pile
up.

In my opinion, the best manual to have in print is the What's New
Guide for each release, since it's something each user really ought to
go through carefully one page at a time, while actually bookmarking
progress...

Just my 2¢

Per O. Hoel
_________________________________________________________________________

 

A big problem with the paper version is obsolescence. As soon as

i believe this is the exact reason why hard copies aren't published.

don't forget that all languages have to get updated, not just english. how
many copies of each language should be published? ... and when the manuals
become obsolete (which they will in 9~10 months) what happens to the unused
manuals? waste not, want not

 

The main advantage I see with the paper version is to just have it

I agree with a lot of what you said - especially your point that after a
while printed manuals mostly go unused.
However, just because they are on my mind, I can think of three more big
advantages of a printed version over an electronic one:

1. If you can't remember what a thing is called, you can quickly flip
through until you see the picture that corresponds to what you are looking
for. I never bothered to memorize exactly how to work a vary pattern or
vary sketch or whatever the hell that thing is called -I just remembered to
flip through and look for the picture of the slots shriking as they got
patterned (that one time every six months when that feature comes in handy)

2. With an online manual, you go right to what you are looking for (assuming
you know the name and can spell). Its really hard to stumble across
intersting things that you are not looking for. Little accidents can make
all the diference - you are flipping to page 280, but when passing page 250
you see a picture of something that you didn't know you didn't know. Before
you realize it, that little discovery is shaving minutes off of every day.

3. Folded corners, post-its, written notes, etc that we use to make it easy
to navigate. Printed manuals are really interactive, and grow with you.

I'm glad we got a printed manual at SW World this year. I might not use it
much, but I bet the times I do use it I'll learn something by accident.

 

I like that - "learn something by accident" - is that copyrighted, or can I
use it too? I have to agree there - paging through, sometimes something
catches your eye. I'm also one of those that has trouble getting out of the
dictionary after just one word. However, I have to point out that I also do
that with the electronic version. Slightly different method, but veering
off the intended path on purpose is only a click away.

WT

 

Well the printed version is available at he SW website for $30

 

Me! Me! Me!

Did yesterday:
If you press the "numlock" key for more than 5 seconds, then You'll hear a
"beep" every time you press "numlock" or "capslock".


Helps in preventing " hELLO, HOW ARE YOU ..."

 

Cool! I've never seen that one before.

WT

 

What a great tip!!
Thanks

Merry

 

3.) a decrease in the gold plated bathtub fund for the CEO

 

I'm also one of those that has trouble getting out of the

What a great analogy!